The Maldives has urged to uphold their commitments and work collectively towards effective implementation of the Treaty of the High Seas. The remarks in a statement delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid on the Further Resumed Session of the Fifth Session of Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) on an Internationally legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Beyond Areas of National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) held in New York, United States (US). The BBNJ Treaty also known as the High Seas Treaty was adopted at the session.
In his statement, Minister Shahid emphasised the significance of such a treaty, noting that it provides a framework for operationalising the equity principles of UNCLOS into practice. He noted that this instrument would significantly lessen the conservation-related burden on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and help reduce ocean regime inequity, particularly in areas of marine scientific research and sharing of benefits from utilising marine genetic resources in BBNJ. He pointed out that this is particularly crucial for nations like the Maldives, which are at the forefront of the climate emergency while simultaneously being the custodians of huge oceanic expanses with limited resources. He also urged all states to uphold their commitments and work collectively towards effective implementation of the High Seas Treaty.
The Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ is held under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) to consider the recommendations of the Preparatory Committee established on June 19, 2015, on the elements and to elaborate the text of an international legally binding instrument.